Armed forces charity appeals for Orkney volunteers
SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, formerly known as Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, is a UK charity which is urging people in Orkney to volunteer for the organisation.
SSAFA volunteer caseworkers support members of the Armed Forces community in a range of ways, including:
• Visiting them in their homes, assessing their needs and building a bespoke package of support.
• Providing support with issues such as – mobility, home repairs, household goods, homelessness, marriage breakdown, mental health problems, urgent debt support, essential food and groceries and clothing and training costs to help younger veterans back into work.
• Accessing funds for house adaptations for a service man or woman injured whilst fighting for their country.
• Befriending elderly veterans and providing them with some much-needed company and happiness to combat loneliness and isolation.
• Raising the rent for a young veteran unemployed and struggling to transition from military life to civilian life.
Sue Pillar, SSAFA Director of Volunteer Operations and former Army Lieutenant Colonel said: “SSAFA predicts that the welfare needs of the Armed Forces community in Orkney will continue to rise. World War Two veterans are now well into their 90s and the impact of conflicts such as the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan on our younger veterans and their families continue to reveal themselves.
“SSAFA is looking for local men and women who are willing and able to help provide a lifeline to veterans and their families in need. Volunteering for SSAFA is a unique challenge that is rewarding, interesting and hands-on, that requires planning and problem solving using local knowledge to support the varying needs of a wide range of people.
“The men and women who have served in our Armed Forces have given so much it is now up to us to support them. Please get in touch with one of our team to find out more.”
If you are interested in joining your local SSAFA Orkney team, please visit www.ssafa.org.uk/newrecruits or call 0800 032 5612